FIRM

FAST INTERCHANGEABLE ROBOT MAINTENANCE

SYSTEM

An innovative solution for rapid maintenance on animatronic and robotic mechanics.

PURPOSE

In the industry of robotics hundreds of hours are spent to perfect the movements and program for a robot. That time and effort can be for nothing with the misrouting of one wire. A simple error can cause days of downtime even with the most precise calculations. Downtimes can make or break a job costing a company time and money.

Our goal is to make the unexpected downtimes to be reduced to mere minutes. With the hardest part of troubleshooting involving components, a simple solution is needed. Using a robot arm as a proof of concept, we plan on making it so components can be changed almost instantly. By designing a quick disconnect system for each linkage, they can be swapped out for replacement linkages with the push of a button. Then the end user, being a ride or manufacturing plant can continue production while the technician fixes the issue.

As of now we haven't seen a system designs to be disconnected without something extra in-between. Usually systems have wires, hoses, or mechanical bolts holding them together. With our system there will be nothing extra to disconnect. A simple push of the button will allow for arm modules to be disconnected and reconnected without extra steps.